Matthew 25

 

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Verses 1-13

The chapter and text before us are a continuation of Christ’s prophetical dialogue of the previous chapter. Here we have the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish. We see that this parable is likened to the second coming of Christ. The second coming of Christ will be a great event and here we read more details about the second advent.

It is considered that the five wise virgins are representative of the church and the five unwise virgins are representative of unbelieving Israel.

All of the virgins had lamps, but only five of them had oil in their vessels to feed the flame. All of them professed to have one view of in object, but only five were wise. The five foolish virgins that had no oil, there are people in the world that do not have saving faith, they lack the Holy Spirit. Within the world there are people who claim to have light, but not all of them harken unto the voice of Christ and follow Him.

We read that “at midnight” when the virgins were slumbering and sleeping there was a cry, “the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.” It will be the same when Christ returns to this earth. He will find the vast majority of people unprepared. He will find many sleepy and unprepared. Life will be going on in the towns and cities just as it is now. People will be buying and selling, resting and pleasure-seeking. They will be living carefree and not at all concerned about the things that really matter.

We see from the warning that Jesus gave that many will find out the real meaning and value of the Gospel, but it will be too late. The parable tells us that the foolish virgins asked for oil, but the wise virgins did not have any to spare them. The foolish virgins went to buy oil for themselves but the door was shut, they were too late. Let us take heed that we do not find ourselves amongst those who will be too late. It will be too late to buy oil when the Lord comes again.

In the last place, we see from this parable that when Christ returns His believing people will receive a rich reward for all that they have suffered for their Master’s sake. The faithful alone will be ready for the second coming. They alone are washed in the blood of their Lord and Saviour. They alone are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. They alone will sit and meet together with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Let us remember this always.

The lamp of Christ will lighten their path. They will want for nothing. Let us never rest till we know that we have the oil of the spirit in our hearts. May we not rest till we know that our lamp is full of oil, and we are numbered among the wise who trust in Christ.

Well done good and faithful servant

Verses 14-30

The parable of the talents is very much like the parable of the ten virgins. Both parables concern the second coming of Christ. Both bring up the same subject. The story of the virgins teaches us to watch, and the talents teach us to work.

We see from the parable that all professing believers have received something from God. We are all God’s “servants”, or better we are God’s bondservants on earth. What better thing can we be than a servant to Christ and the Father. All have been given “talents” from God. The word “talents” is an expression that has been turned aside from its original meaning. It is generally applied to people of remarkable gifts. They are called, “talented people.” This is a modern understanding. In the sense that our Lord meant it in this parable applies to believing people. We all have talents in God’s sight, we are all talented people.

Our gifts, our influence, our money, our knowledge, our health, and our all as members of Christ’s Church are given to use for the glory of God. We are God’s servants and stewards on earth. Let this thought sink deep into our hearts and let us use our gifts from God wisely. We are all God’s debtors. God has given us so much, may we be wise in using them.

We also see in the parable that many make bad use of the blessings and mercies of God. We are told that one “digged in the earth and hid his Lord’s money.” That man represents a large class of mankind. To hide our talents is to neglect opportunities to bring glory to God. The earthly-minded and pleasure-seeker are both like the ones who buried their Lord’s money in the ground.

We learn that all professing believers must one day give account to God. The parable tells us that “after a long time the Lord of those servants came and reckoned with them.” There will be a judgment for us all. There will be no escape, we all must stand before the judgment seat of God. Let us, “judge ourselves that we be not condemned of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 2:31).

We also learn in this parable that true believers will receive a reward from God. These are words of great encouragement and comfort to all believers. May we be found among those who belong to Christ. When Christ returns believers will find that every hour spent in the service of Christ will be time well spent. The cross we are called to bear may seem heavy now, but the glorious reward shall make amends for all.

Lastly, we learn that all unfaithful persons will be condemned on the day of judgment. The parable tells us that the servant who buried his master’s money was reminded that he knew the character and requirements and was without excuse. It tells us that he was condemned as wicked, slothful, and unprofitable. He was cast into “outer darkness”, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

There will be no excuse for an unconverted soul on the last day of judgment. The reasons that he now pretends to satisfy his soul will prove to have been vain. The judge of all the earth will be found to have done right. The loss of the soul will be found to be man’s fault and man’s fault alone. Millions are living without Christ in the world and pretending that they can’t help it. They know in their conscience the reality of God and sin. They know they are guilty of sin before God but they will not come to the Saviour.

Let us learn from this parable the truth of the message contained therein. Let us not only talk about matters of faith but act upon them. Faith without works is dead. It is important that we do not think that our works earn us a place at the marriage supper of the lamb. Works are done as an expression of our faith and love for God. Let us beware of a do-nothing Christianity. A do-nothing faith is not of God and does not please God. May we be people that work for the kingdom with joy in our hearts and works from the heart?

The Sheep and Goats

Verses 31-46

The day of judgment is described in these verses by our Lord. There are few passages in the Bible that are more heart-searching than this. Let us mark in our hearts and minds who will be judged on the last day and who will be the judge. We read that the Judge will be Jesus Christ, Himself. To Christ, at the last, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). The Bible is clear that one day every knee shall bow before Christ and every tongue will proclaim Him Lord of lords and King of kings.

Let us as believers rejoice in the knowledge and comfort that He who sits on the throne on the great day of judgment will be our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Also, may this be a warning to the unconverted that the Christ who they now reject will be the same Christ that will be their Judge. One day they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ who they despise. How awful will that day be for those who go on in unbelief and die in their sins?

Let us also mark in our mind that all who have ever lived shall give an account of themselves at the judgment seat of Christ. All those that will be judged will be divided into two great classes. There will no longer be a divide of kings and subjects, rich and poor, weak, and strong, high status, and low status. There will be no mention of rank or church denominations, for the former things have passed away. There is only one kingdom, and all the righteous will reside in one kingdom. There is no special room for the Baptists, the Methodists, the Anglicans, the Presbyterians, the Congregationalist, nor any other Christian Church branch. All that is found in Christ will be placed on His right hand among the sheep and all those who are not found in Christ will be placed on the left among the goats.

There are a few striking points made in the passage regarding the manner of the judgment. The last judgment will be a judgment according to evidence. The works of man will be brought forward as a witness at the judgment. We will not be judged based on what we have said, but on what we have done. The judgment is not on what we have professed but on what we have practiced. Our works unquestionably will not justify us, we are justified by faith without the deeds of the law, but the truth of our faith will be tested by our lives. As we are told in James 2:11 that faith which has no works is dead.

The last judgment will be a judgment that will bring joy to all true believers. They will hear those great words, “Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom.” The least, the lowest, and the poorest in God’s family will have a crown of glory. This crown will be like no other. The world gives gold medals and nobel prizes to men of great influence, but on that day all of God’s people will have a crown much better than any earthly reward.

The judgment will be an awful day for the unconverted. They will hear, “Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” They have sowed to the flesh and will reap of the corruption of the flesh (Galatians 6:8). They would not come to Christ for salvation during their earthly life and as a result, there will be no hope nor help for their soul at the last judgment.

Those on the right hand of Christ will be clothed in His righteousness and those on the left hand will be clothed only in sin and corruption. They will be the ones who will trust in their good works to save them. The joyful on the other hand trusts in nothing but the blood of Christ to save him.

The last key thing we learn from the text and worthy of our attention is the result of that final judgment. We are told, “the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.” For those who are in Christ shall have eternal life. But for those who have rejected Christ their eternal abode will be with the wicked, the devil, and a hopeless end without a release from judgment.

When that day comes will you be on the right or the left? Will you be numbered among the saved of the Lord or lost forever. May we not rest till we know that we are on the Lord’s side.